OMG. this is a very dramatic, and a Sniff sniff tear jerking chapter. I had to, i had no other choice. Don't kill me!! ahhhhhh!! enjoy.. sobs

Chapter Eight: WHY?!

Harry woke up again in the Slytherin's arms. He lay crushed underneath his fragile body on a large, gold pillow. Harry pushed him over and gazed at his pure face.

"I really like you, you know that." Harry murmured to the sleeping Draco. Harry pushed his long strands of hair out of Draco's eyes and caressed him awake.

"Ah," Draco rolled over and covered his face with Harry's cloak. "It's too early, leave me alone." Draco pushed Harry away and dozed back to sleep.

"Well, I'm starving, so I'm going to get dressed and head to breakfast, I'll catch you later." Harry pushed himself off the plushy floor and gave Malfoy a playful kick. "Get up soon." Then he casually strode out of the room.

Harry walked though the dungeons until he emerged into the cheery main hall. It was decorated for Christmas already, and the playful snowflakes melted as they touched Harry's cheeks. He glanced upward and saw mistletoe hanging above, and smiled inward at the thought of catching Draco underneath it sometime. He smiled and skipped all the way up to the common room, merrily thoughts about his newfound boyfriend.

As he entered the common room whistling, Harry saw McGonagall, Dumbledoor, and Ron all standing staring at him.

"Um. Hi." Harry's cheeks burned red at the thought of his night's actions. Did they know I was out? Did Ron tell them I was with Draco all night? That dirty bastard. Harry shot Ron an infuriated look, then glanced back over at McGonagall. Tears were streaming down her wrinkled face. Then Harry looked at Dumbledoor, who stood staring at his purple, star speckled slippers.

"What's going on?" Harry whispered. No one else was in the common room. This was uncommon, being that it was Sunday and usually the room was brimming with laughter and a last effort at weekend play.

"Harry, I'm so sorry." Ron's eyes filled with tears as he ran over to Harry. He pulled Harry into a bear hug, Harry standing awkwardly looking around.

"What?! What's going on? Somebody tell me before I get mad." Harry's eyes filled with confused look. McGonagall finally spoke up, grabbing a tissue and wiping her eyes.

"Hermione, she, well, she, she, she," McGonagall sniffled as she tried to squeak out the sentence.

"What? What about Hermione?!" Harry moved closer to McGonagall, staring her right in the eyes.

"She's taken her own life!!" McGonagall squeal. Then she collapsed into Dumbledoor's arm.

Harry stood in shock. Are they kidding? This isn't a funny joke? Hermione would never kill herself! But why? Why? Harry sat down on the red, carpeted floor, still staring out the window in shock. WHY?! Harry screamed in his head.

"Harry, I know this comes as a shock to you. So, you and Ron here are exempt from class for the next week. I know you need time to heal. Also, Hermione's parents are coming to the castle, and bringing her back to the muggle world to bury her. I'm sure they will let you and Mr. Weasley here join them." Dumbledoor walked closer to Harry and placed his hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Mr. Potter." Then he reached into his long, purple robe and pulled out a piece of parchment. "This was found next to her, it's addressed to you. No one else has read it, it's for you only." Then Dumbledoor handed Harry the parchment, and grabbed him off the floor and into a hug. "I'm sorry." Then he hovered the still unconscious McGonagall above the room and started walking out the portrait. "We'll be in the hospital wing, if you want to talk." Then he disappeared out the exit.

Harry walked over to his favorite chair and collapsed. Ron sat in the chair next to him, looking at the now crying raven-haired boy.

"Harry. I know a lot has been going on, and I just want to apologize. She was both of ours friend, and I'm going to be here for you. I'm sorry for being such a prat before." Ron placed his arm around Harry's shoulder, who sat with his head in his lap.

Harry then sat up and glared at Ron. He didn't want to talk to him right now. He didn't want to talk to anyone. He wanted to talk with Hermione. She was always there for him. She was the one he turned to for advice. She was his mother in Hogwarts. She was his everything. Harry then pushed the parchment into his pant pockets and ran from the tower.

He ran into the main hall, which he thought should be black rather than it's merry décor of red and green. His life was over! His best friend was dead! And it was his entire fault!

"Harry, what's wrong?" Ginny was behind Harry, yelling at his running figure.

Harry sniffled and waved her off as he ran out the back entrance. The grounds were covered with a recent snow. Hermione would love this Harry thought as he slowed to a walk. He walked passed Hagrid's empty hut. Hagrid was off in France, teaching at another school. He had no one. He was completely alone now.

Finally Harry reached his destination. It was his favorite tree, on the edge of the frozen lake. The tree was perfect for just sitting in and being alone, being that it only fit one. And with the icy temperatures, no one was around to bother Harry. All he wanted was to be alone.

Harry sat staring at the iced over lake. He shakily pulled out the parchment. It was addressed to him. Why? He thought. What did Hermione say to me that she couldn't say to anyone? Why did she have to leave? I need her. Harry rolled open the crinkled piece of paper and read it. His eyes welled and his eyes stroked back and forth reading the note. How could she? What have I done?! Harry ran from the tree, barely able to walk from his state of shock. He collapsed on the white, powdery snow, shaking. He was only wearing a white t-shirt and black pants from yesterday. He didn't care, he wanted to lie there and die. How could he do that without even knowing? What kind of sick person am I? Harry thought, shaking from his grief.

Ok, I'm sorry for killing Hermione off, but i had no other choice. you'll see in chapters to come. Anyways, next chapter you'll see what the note said, and please don't murder me in my sleep. Hermione wasn't that fun anyways, sniff sniff sorry. keep reviewing, and don't be too hard on me for killing sweet ole hermione. R&R, and just wait til next chapter, it's going to be.. well... interesting. The note is well... i can't describe it so continue reading. I'll update soon, i'm not that mean to keep you waiting. i am a murderer though, killing hermione. waaaa!!